Selling crafts from the back of your truck/van/geo/blanket on the ground (xposted)

Is this even possible anymore? I know hippies used to sell tie-dye, batik, hemp things etc. out of the back of their vans to make some dough... I have seen people doing it these days as well, but what are the restrictions? The only rule I've heard about this is that if you don't have some sort of business permit you'll get hassled by the fuzz, and that in some areas it's prohibited (private property in front of businesses, etc.) But if one were to set up one's small Vanagon outside a Wal-Mart, on the edge of a dirt lot, by a freeway offramp, etc. would one get razzed by the authority figures? What are the laws concerning this? What can you do to both sell your wares and keep the heat off your back?

I'm just curious because I live in a tiny town that's mostly cotton fields, and I know the Wal-Mart here lets people set up in their lot or outside their store sometimes (I hate referencing that place but it's the only place with any traffic around here, unfortunately.)

If I were to sit with my lovely handpainted sign and hawk my crocheted bags and tie-dyed dresses and lovely batiked pillows and my homey Vanagon outside the damn place in the far end of the lot, or on a corner of the raped dirt cotton fields where traffic passes by like I sometimes see fruit-sellers do, or have my jewelry spread out on a blanket in one of the small parks here, is any of that kosher?

I mean, I think everyone should be able to do their thing, but then again I don't need to get hassled either. Rednecks I can handle, Brother Bacon I prefer not to have altercations with.

This is xposted, I posted it already in the "fashion and crafts" section, but if anyone'd like to reply here that would just be stellar.

peace out xxoo
miss oshinn

 

I used to do that. I used to make good-luck charms called God's Eyes and pass them out to passerby in front of either the Eckerd or the gas station that I walked to every couple of days. Nobody ever hassled me for it, as far as I can recall.

The reason I stopped is because I lost all of the ones I made due to a housefire, but I may soon start doing it again once I get some supplies.

Good luck with your venture!

 

heh. i use the cheapest yarn available at wal-mart, and cooking bamboo sticks (99 cents for a pack of 100!)

they look pretty in my house, anyway

 

Oh? Bamboo sticks? Good suggestion--I only used popsicle sticks before (Grandma bought two big old bags full of them for Christmas 2005 as a stocking stuffer).

I've been wondering--do you recommend any books to the beginning crocheter? Always wanted to learn, but suck at it every time I try. It's always seemed fun, though!

 

as a street performer i get hassled by the cops in some towns, and in some towns they sit and listen then kick me down a few bucks.
it depends on the community you're in. some places you need a permit, and they enforce it, some places they dont care. it's a little different than selling stuff, so you should at least stop at the town hall and ask how much a permit costs just in case.

 

In Key West,
fl. you need 2 apply for street performer permit in Nov. then pay $90 in dec. Made $5000 per month selling custom photos on street out my van side door.